Shop Local: Drake’s Jewelry in Benton has designer gifts you can’t find at the big stores

Editor’s Note: This Shop Local column is sponsored by Drake’s Jewelry.

By LEIGH M. CALDWELL

Award-winning jeweler Drake Miller and the staff at Drake’s Jewelry have two words of advice for you men out there scratching your heads about what to give the woman in your life this Christmas: colored diamonds.

“Diamonds in black, blue and chocolate are definitely the hot item,” Miller said. “Black diamonds are the top seller.”

The cases at Drake’s, on the east side of the Benton Public Square, are bursting with earrings, rings and necklaces that show off the colored precious stones. Best of all, the store has colored diamonds to fit many budgets, from $99 black diamond studs to $599 rings set with multiple chocolate diamonds.

If your holiday plans include popping the question, Drake’s has more than 250 engagement rings in stock to choose from. And believe me, guys, these are not the same old rings you are going to see at the mall. The store carries three designer lines — Romance, LaVie and Finelli — that give you a custom look and big city jewelry store quality.

Many brides-to-be these days are choosing halo-style rings and going for the vintage look, and Drake’s Jewelry has plenty of choices to get exactly the look you are going for.

One thing I especially like about the designer bridal lines at Drake’s Jewelry is that you choose the center stone yourself from Drake’s extensive selection of loose diamonds. This gives you control over the look — and price — of the engagement ring you choose, and also makes it that much more personal.

Did you know if you go to the big box stores fora ring, it is often sent off to a central location somewhere for sizing that can take weeks? One of the best things about working with a local, independent jeweler is that at Drake’s all sizing, as well as repairs and custom work, is done right there on-site, and can often be done within a day.

If it’s not a jewelry year, but you still need a truly unique gift, I also spotted the neatest cell phone cases, wristlets and handbags at Drake’s Jewelry by designer Debbie Brooks. Brooks is a former art director for Disney who is now known as handbag designer to the stars. She counts fashion icon Gwyneth Paltrow among her best customers. Drake’s is part of an exclusive group of independent jewelers that carry Brooks’ iconic styles.

One of the nicest things about shopping at Drake’s Jewelry is that any day you come through the doors of the store, you can talk directly to the owners about your needs. It’s personal attention you just won’t find in a mall or discount store.

Drake’s Jewelry is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, as well as this Sunday afternoon, Dec. 23, for Christmas shopping. You can find the store at 1204 East Side Public Square in Benton. Drake’s also has an extensive Web site, where you can browse the holiday catalog as well as get a closer look at the many designer lines the store carries. Find them on the Web at http://www.drakes-jewelry.com/ or on Facebook.